#YearOfYou Diet Bet--join us!

I love the New Year: it's a time to set goals, dream big, and say goodbye to the negativity of the past. For so many (and this year, me included), January is a time to set some weight loss goals. Of course, I'm going to have to wait until our little man makes his debut before jumping into my fitness and weight loss goals, but you don't so we organized a little Diet Bet to help you along! You just can't take the coach out of me, even when my mind is preoccupied with a million other things!

So...how does it work? We start on Monday, January 4th. The bet is that you lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. Diet Bet handles all the money, the payouts, the weigh-ins, and verifying that everyone is playing fair. Once you register, you will get an individual word that you will photograph with your scale, as well as photographing yourself on the scale, all within 24 hours of the start. As long as you lose the weight, you are guaranteed your money back at the least, BUT (this is the fun part) everyone who meets their goal splits the pot. Not that you want others to not reach their goals too, but the odds are in your favor that you stand to win more than you put in, that is, as long as you reach your goal. So it's you against yourself--you don't have to worry about being the "biggest loser".

There's even an app to keep you on track and I'll be posting tips throughout the game to give you an edge over the rest. It's fun, it's social, and it definitely works!

Are you in? It's time to get started! Follow this LINK and join us in betting on yourself in 2016!

Friday Five: 5 goals for 2015

I'm so happy that the girls from http://eatprayrundc.com/ http://www.marontherun.com/ & http://www.yousignedupforwhat.com/ decided for this Friday's post to be about goals.  I love New Year's Resolutions.  I don't always stick to them, but I love the idea of a fresh start.  So, without further adieu, here are my 5 goals for 15!  (Be sure to check out these ladies' sites too for tons of great bloggers who link up weekly.  I've found AWESOME blogs to follow from the Friday Five Linkup!).

1.  Get my knee back to as close to normal as possible.  I have not seen a doctor since 10 days post surgery.  (BTW, I was discharged at that time, this was not my choice).  I need to get a new doctor, perhaps one that will offer solutions, and get my knee taken care of.  I also need to do things, like strength training, to help it along.

2.  Run a 2:15 half marathon.  I've been chasing 2:00 for so long, but I've got to be realistic.  Since surgery, I haven't been able to run fast...not at all...so I need to set my sights on a realistic goal.  I'm thinking Tink in May will be my goal race.

Okay...whining about my knee is over :)

3.  Get certified as an RRCA running coach!  This is probably the most exciting thing I currently have planned :)  In March, I will be traveling to Denver to complete the 2-day training, then plan to quickly finish the rest of the requirements so I will be fully certified by the end of spring.  I cannot wait to add this to my growing list of fitness-related skills.

4.  On that note, my next goal is to build my home-based fitness business as a Beachbody Coach and an online running coach.  Don't worry, this blog is not turning into a sales pitch 24/7!  I'm finally willing, though, to take a leap of faith and make a career out of helping others get fit and healthy.  It will undoubtedly be hard and I will have to work long, hard hours (while still at my day job), but I know that if I follow my heart and passion, things will work out.

5.  Adopt one healthy habit a month.  I thought this would be a good goal to get healthier all around.  Each month I'm going to focus on adding one thing to my routine and then build as the year goes on.  Hold me to this!  So far, I've come up with my January habit: I'm going to improve my oral care routine by flossing daily, using my Sonicare (my Christmas gift to myself) twice a day and using Pro-Health mouthwash twice a day.  I hate teeth, but I've been trying to get better.  I've been really good the past 2 years about the dentist, and my 6-month check up is this month, so I thought this would be a good place to start.

I probably could come up with 5 more, but I'll leave it at that for now.  Don't forget to check out the Friday Five for some inspiration for your own goals :)  If one of your goals is to lose weight, be sure to check out the Diet Bet I'm hosting for extra "inspiration" (money as an incentive)!  http://www.dietbetter.com/games/56749

My Plan to Get Back on Track for 2015

Happy New Year Everyone!  2014 was so crazy I barely have had time to get a list of resolutions together.  Luckily, tomorrow's "Friday Five" is about goals, so I'll save that post until tomorrow.

Today, though, I'm planning how I'm getting back on track after a bit too much of indulging over the holidays.  Of course, it won't be a straight path, since I have 3 race weekends in January that include travel (it sounded so good when I planned the races). 

I have a ton of friends who have had great success with the 21-Day Fix program.  Since becoming a Beachbody coach, I've been wanting to try this program, but knew I wouldn't do the workouts.  Between teaching classes, doing PiYo at home, and running I don't know when I'd fit in another home workout.  Then, as if it was made just for me, Beachbody came out with Portion Fix, which is just the nutrition part of the 21-Day Fix.  Perfect!  My kit arrives Wednesday, along with the 3-Day Refresh.  I'm super excited to get started.  Nutrition has always been my struggle, and I know that losing some pounds will definitely help my knees and my running.  I want to get back to running faster, and this is definitely a key component.

In addition, to keep me motivated, I've organized and joined another Diet Bet.  It's worked for me before, and I get to help others while doing it.  It's seriously a win, win (and lose).  Love it!  (By the way, if you want to join, here's the link: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/56749 I'd love to have blogging friends join me--invite your friends too!).

The hardest part, for sure, is going to be NOT going crazy during my two Disney trips.  For the Goofy Challenge, I'm only there for 3 days, but I'm sure I'll have a treat or two.  The following weekend I'll be traveling to Disneyland with my hubby and friends for Star Wars.  This trip will be harder!

I'm not setting a strict number goal, because I know that it's not just about weight, but I know I have at least 20 pounds I can lose.  I'm going to focus more on eating whole, clean foods, cutting out the quick and easy solutions like the occasional fast food or the more frequent frozen lunches.  Who knows...maybe I'll learn to cook in 2015! :)

Happy 2015!  I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me...and for you! 

I Bet You Can!

It's that time of year; a time for resolutions and getting on some serious diet and exercise overhauls.  SO, because hey, I'm human and I need one too, I organized another Diet Bet!  I did two of these this past year and now have $131 in my Diet Bet bank from money I've won.  Oh, and I was able to lose a few pounds post-surgery.  Not too shabby. 

In case you're not familiar with what Diet Bet is, they are an online company that manages these "bets".  You sign up and bet yourself that you can lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks.  If you win, by losing, you split the pot with all the other winners.  The organizer sets the buy-in price.  Mine is $25.  Some bets can get HUGE, but it's all relative because you still are splitting the pot with the other winners.  You can even bet for charity.

I would love to play with you in my "Get Lean in 2015" Diet Bet.  C'mon--get in on the FUN! 

Here's the link to join:  http://www.dietbetter.com/games/56749 

Don't Forget to Diet Bet!

We'd love to have you join us on our next Diet Bet!  Don't be scared of the scale this Halloween! 

 

$25 buy in, 4 weeks, lose 4 % of your weight, you win $$$.  Follow the link: 

 

https://www.dietbetter.com/games/50550

 

Why I DietBet

Last month I hosted my first DietBet.  I needed it to help motivate myself to get back on track with my fitness and nutrition goals.  It was 100% motivated by my own needs, but it was pretty awesome that my friends and family joined in too.  Our current pot is $2000 and there is a little over a week to go.  The group has already lost 244 pounds.  I'm right on track and can't wait to see how much I win! 

I'm in no way done, so I've already set up my next DietBet!  I'm no dummy... this one ends right before Halloween, which will be the start of my next Disneyland trip.  I can't wait to be able to celebrate (and indulge, just a little...).  Figured the other people in the bet would also want a little indulgence on that day.  I'm sure people are curious, so here's why I'm using DietBet:

• I am highly motivated by challenges and MONEY!
• I wanted to help other people, but I don't want to worry about keeping track of money and weight and fairness and etc... (the people at DietBet take care of all of that).
• As long as you lose the 4%, you get at least your money back (DietBet forfeits their cut of the pot is everyone wins).
• It a social way to diet--I log in daily to help motivate others and get some motivation myself.
• I, as the host, get to set the bet.  I keep it low ($25) so the price doesn't deter anyone who wants to join in.

I'd love for some of my blogger friends to join in too, so consider this your official invite!  You have a little over a week to get in on the fun and invite all your friends and family to join in too.  It really is more fun with friends.  I hope you join us!  Here's the link:  https://www.dietbetter.com/games/50550

Back to School Diet Bet

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you may have already seen that I am hosting my first Diet Bet!  I'm so excited!  I wanted to do this for selfish reasons, really.  Since being injured, I've gained too much weight and have really fallen off the healthy wagon.  I do SO well when being presented with a competition, especially when money is on the line.  If it works for me, I know it will work for others, so now I'm recruiting everyone that needs to lose a little to come along with me.  Let's do this together!

If you are not familiar with Diet Bet, here's how it works.  The host (me) sets up a game.  Mine is a 4-week bet that you will lose at least 4% of your body weight.  You put $25 in the pot (I kept it low for this first bet so that everyone can afford to buy in).  You weigh in through photos and submit those to the site.  If you're shy about your weight (no judgment... I hate that number), no one needs to see it, except for the management of the Diet Bet site.  You can weigh in weekly, provide support for each other, and get the ongoing motivation you need!  At the end of the 4 weeks, we all weigh in by photo again and if you lose the weight, you split the pot with everyone else who is playing. 

Simple! I know you're intrigued, so join me!  The more, the better!  More money to win, more support for each other, more weight lost!  Don't forget to share the link with all of your friends and family.  The game starts September 3/4 with the initial weigh in.  Let's do this :)

Here's the link to join my "Back to School, Back on Track" Diet Bet:

 https://www.dietbetter.com/games/48472

Friday Five: Free Friday!

I'm linking up again with the ladies from Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up For What, & Mar On The Run.  This weeks topic--free!  Anything we want :). Don't forget to check out their blogs and the other blogs linking up this week!

So... I was thinking about goals.  I've really fallen off the health and fitness wagon with this injury.  I've allowed myself to overindulge and I've gained a lot of weight!  EEK!  So, what better time than now to re-focus on some goals to get me through the end of 2014.  So for my free Friday, here are my new goals:

1.  Lose weight.  To be more exact, to lose 17 pounds by the New Year. 


2.  Train to PR my half marathon--and go for a sub-2:00 half!  I've been chasing this goal for a long time, but with my recent injury I'm not sure how long this will take.

3.  Register and plan for all the races to qualify for Half Fanatics (I'll still be running some of the races in 2015, but I want to at least know what I'm doing to qualify).

4.  Work on building my fitness business.  Some of this is just in my head by really nailing down a business plan, some includes actually starting to coach people in running, hosting diet bets (yep... the first bet is coming soon--stay tuned), and explore other business opportunities. 

5.  Blog at least 4-5 days per week.  Okay, okay, at least 5 days. 

Do you set goals?  Are you needing to lose some weight?  What about reach some PRs?  Tell me about it!  Also, check back for info on my first time hosting a Diet Bet!